Earn your master’s in educational administration fully online in the state of California or in person at PLNU’s Bakersfield Regional Center. Our program is designed to ensure you receive your preliminary administrative services credential by the time you graduate and fully equips you to become a more effective administrator.

You don’t work in education because it’s easy — you do it because it matters. You want to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s what we want, too.

Everyone you encounter here will share that goal with you, from your admissions counselor to your professors. Rest assured, PLNU’s School of Education will take a personal interest in you and care about your concerns, experience, beliefs, and goals.

At PLNU, we’re here for the same reasons as you: We truly believe in the power of education, and we care deeply about individuals — including you.

Lasting Network of Support

PLNU’s Education Associates alumni network keeps you connected long after graduation. Faculty have a reputation for staying in touch and continuing to mentor students. Career counseling and additional professional development opportunities are always available to you.

Relevant Topics to Meet Real Needs

District partnerships ensure PLNU’s curriculum addresses current needs and topics facing educators. 

In each of the six one-unit fieldwork courses, you'll be assigned a university supervisor to mentor and support your fieldwork experiences. Along with a site mentor from your workplace, the supervisor helps you plan and execute required and discretionary fieldwork activities and leads reflective conversation at the conclusion of each eight-week experience. Each PLNU supervisor is a recently retired, longtime school administrator who’s well-skilled in supporting our preliminary candidates.

In addition to offering accredited programs grounded in research, PLNU equips you to integrate your beliefs, values, and goals with your teaching practice.

Customizable and Convenient

PLNU’s online program is offered throughout the state of California to allow our students the flexibility to create their own schedule. We understand your scholastic goals are unique to you and your lifestyle, and we’re here to support you through each step of the way. When you choose to enroll in our online master’s in educational administration, you:

• Enroll in non-sequenced coursework which allows you to start at any time. 
• Can finish the program in as little as 16 months. 
• Simultaneously earn your PASC. 

Those seeking an in-person experience at our Southern California campuses will:

• Enroll in coursework that challenges you to be an effective administrator.
• Begin classes based on our selected start dates. 
• Meet with your cohorts and professors face to face once a week.
• Simultaneously earn your PASC.

The best leaders have a deep understanding of history and tradition but are also forward-thinking. They seek to impact tomorrow by transforming lives and institutions today.

In PLNU’s educational administration program, you’ll gain the skills and mindset to become the kind of visionary leader needed today. Rooted in a solid awareness of historical practices and theories, our program will help you analyze (and even create!) the newest developments in the field. 

Whether you’re currently working at a school site or aspire to be in school administration, we’ll help further your ability to handle the demands of the diverse and rapidly-changing school environment. Let us help you become the leader you’re meant to be.

Degree and credential offerings:

PLNU’s master’s in educational administration offers two tracks to choose from:

1. Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Administration 
2. Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Administration

Both tracks include the PASC credential. Which track you choose depends on your career trajectory. The M.A. includes a research project and has a shorter completion time. In the M.S. track, you’ll complete a thesis that prepares you for entry into a doctorate-level program. Both options require 36 units to complete.

• Master’s in educational administration with Preliminary Administrative Services Credential: Educators who seek to lead at school sites or at the district level and are interested in obtaining a master's degree (36 semester units).
• Preliminary Administrative Services Credential only: Educators who seek to lead school sites or at the district level (24 semester units).
• Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential: New or experienced administrators who need to clear their preliminary credential (12 semester units).

When you and your classmates complete PLNU's master's in educational administtration, you’ll be prepared to:

Equip

• Promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Transform

• Promote the success of all students by modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.

Empower

• Promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
• The CPSEL* are embedded in each of the six courses. The six units of fieldwork are the application of the six CPSEL.

*According to the California Teaching Commission (CTC): "The California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL) identify what an administrator must know and be able to do to move into sustainable, effective practice. They are a set of broad policy standards that are the foundation for administrator preparation, induction, development, professional learning, and evaluation in California. Taken together, the CPSEL describes critical areas of leadership for administrators and offers a structure for developing and supporting education leaders throughout their careers."

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. For information about PLNU programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our Disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on this website.

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We're here to make the entire process a simple one. We'll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Fall 2025 Quad I — September 2, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 27, 2025
• Spring 2026 Quad I — January 12, 2026
• Spring 2026 Quad II — March 16, 2026
• Summer 2026 Quad I — May 11, 2026
• Summer 2026 Quad II — July 6, 2026

Application Deadline(s):

• Fall 2025 Quad I — August 15, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 10, 2025
• Spring 2026 Quad I — December 12, 2025
• Spring 2026 Quad II — February 27, 2026
• Summer 2026 Quad I — April 24, 2026
• Summer 2026 Quad II — June 19, 2026

Note: Not all programs offer entry for new students each quad. Check with your enrollment counselor for programs and start dates.

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's master's in educational administration program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript.

Admissions Interview: You may be eligible for an interview waiver. Eligibility can be discussed in more depth with a PLNU admissions counselor once you've started your application. 

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Requirements

3 – 5 years of teaching experience required. 5 years teaching required to apply for the credential.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts (which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU) and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit a personal essay, 2-3 pages in length and double spaced.
4. Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.

Start Application

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Admissions Interview:  You may be eligible for an interview waiver.  Eligibility can be discussed in more depth with a PLNU Admissions counselor.

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

The master's in educational administration will prepare you to lead at the school site or district level or to continue leading at those levels with greater effectiveness.

Career opportunities include:

• Principal or vice principal

• District administrator

• Instructional coordinator

• Curriculum specialist

• Program director

• College or university provost or dean

• College or university department chair

• Admissions counselor

• University registrar

For information about the courses required for the master’s in educational administration program, view the PLNU catalog. 

M.A. Course Information M.S. Course Information